Victoria University in the University of Toronto
Victoria University ("Vic" for short) is a
federated school of the
University of Toronto, consisting of Victoria College and
Emmanuel College. Victoria University is somewhat distinct from the rest of the university being across
Queen's Park from the main section of the campus, along with
St. Michael's College. Victoria College is today home to about 4,000 students.
 | Photo of Victoria College's main building taken in 1900 |
|
| Old Vic |
In recent years, Victoria has had the third-highest entering average of U of T colleges, the highest entering average of the large colleges. Victoria used to be considered a distant second to
Trinity College in terms of academics and wealth. In recent years, however, Victoria has surpassed Trinity to become the richest college at U of T. In part this has been because of alumni donations, but mostly it has been due to the rapidly increasing value of Victoria's large real estate holdings in downtown Toronto. Victoria today has a securities portfolio worth over $78 million and a real estate portfolio worth over $80 million. This helps provide the college with a revenue of over $26 million per year.[
1]. By contrast Trinity's investments total about $55 million.[
2]. The academic difference between the two colleges is also now minimal.
Victoria College was originally founded (as Upper Canada Academy--the name was changed in
1841) in
Cobourg, Ontario, to the east of
Toronto, in
1836, largely due to the efforts of
Egerton Ryerson. The school was Canada's main
Methodist university. Victoria University was formed in
1884 when Victoria College and Albert College federated with each other. In
1892, Victoria University moved from Cobourg and federated with the University of Toronto. The current campus at the corner of Queen's Park Crescent and
Bloor Street in Toronto was opened the same year. In
1928, the independent Union College federated with the theology department of Victoria College, and became
Emmanuel College.
The oldest residence building at Victoria College is
Burwash Hall. Other residences include
Margaret Addison Hall,
Annesley Hall and
Rowell Jackman Hall.
Vic's financial power has allowed it to become one of the most attractive colleges at U of T for students. It offers more scholarships per capita than any other college, and has one of the largest libraries (the recently renovated
E. J. Pratt Library) - as well as the largest student centre - of any college.
Victoria University's particular strengths are in the
humanities, especially
English and
Renaissance History.
Alumni of Victoria University include
Lester B. Pearson,
Dave Adams,
Margaret Atwood,
Northrop Frye,
Margaret Avison,
Wilbur R. Franks,
E. J. Pratt,
Donald Sutherland, and
Norman Jewison, who is currently the
Chancellor of Victoria University.
The President of the University is Paul W. Gooch.
Created in the fall of 2004, the Renaissance Students Association (RSA) of Victoria College is an undergraduate student group that works with the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies (CRRS) to promote Renaissance Studies at the University of Toronto. The RSA's mission is to bring together students from different disciplines who are interested in the Renaissance period, and to reach out beyond the university to members of the community who wish to get involved in Renaissance-related events on campus and in the city. Its first president was Corina Apostol (OT6).
In the winter of 2005, controversy emerged after the publication of cartoons within the student newspaper, The Strand, depicting
Jesus and the Prophet
Mohammed kissing. These cartoons were widely viewed as anti-religious and published solely for the controversy and the publicity that would emerge. The editor of the paper defended the cartoons as designed to provoke discussion. The undergraduates students union head has begun lobbying for the removal of the paper from stands.[
3]
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Victoria University
